Super Nt Is a 1080p Super NES That Doesn't Use Emulation

Supports original controllers, too.

By
Seth G. Macy

As truly delightful as the Super NES Classic is, any retro enthusiast will tell you nothing beats playing games on original hardware. While the emulation on the Super NES Classic is top-notch, it doesn't quite capture the authenticity playing genuine carts on actual hardware affords.

The Super Nt bridges the gap between the convenience of the Super NES Classic and the authenticity of playing on original hardware. Unlike the Classic or RetroPi solutions, the Super Nt uses a field programmable gate array to reproduce the hardware of the SNES, rather than use software to emulate it.

Outputting an original Super NES to HDMI takes a bit of extra hardware, but the Super Nt outputs through HDMI with "lag-free, zero signal degradation video," according to manufacturer Analogue.

The system is compatible with all the original Super NES games, as well as the Super Famicom library, and the Super Game Boy. Since it accepts original controllers, you can play Mario Paint on it, as well.

Analogue has plenty of experience in the retro hardware market, having perfected the NES with the original Analogue Nt. A special 24k gold Analogue Nt came out in 2016 and was limited to just 10 units. It also had a price tag of $5000, so it's aimed at the retro enthusiast who happens to be a millionaire.

Fortunately the Super Nt isn't anywhere near as expensive, coming in a selection of styles at $189 USD. That gets you a controller, too, so you can start playing right out of the box.

Seth Macy spent the summer of 1991 raking blueberries in down east Maine as a boy to save money to buy a Super NES. Follow him on Twitter @sethmacy.